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HealthScience

The CTE Health Science Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostics services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development. To pursue a career in the health science industry, high school students should learn to reason, think critically, make decisions, solve problems, communicate effectively, and work well with others.

Health Science
Scrubs start here

pathway 01

Exercise Science and Wellness

The Exercise Science and Wellness program of study introduces high school CTE learners to the fields that assist patients with maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. Students research diet and exercise needed to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and they learn and practice techniques to help patients recover from injury, illness, or disease.

Work-Based Learning

  • Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
  • Volunteer at a hospital or rehabilitation center
  • Manage a school sports team

High School Certifications

  • Certified Personal Trainer
  • Pre-Professional Certification in Nutrition, Food, and Wellness

Exercise Science and Wellness Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Athletic Trainers$53,450
Exercise Physiologists$41,662
Coaches and Scouts$40,010
Dieticians and Nutritionists$57,762
Recreational Therapists$45,906
Download the Exercise Science and Wellness guide ↓

pathway 02

Health Informatics

The Health Informatics program of study focuses on exposing high school CTE students to the management and use of patient information in the healthcare field. CTE students learn about and research recent modifications of computerized healthcare and the process of creating and maintaining hospital and patient records in accordance with healthcare system requirements. Students may also practice writing and interpreting medical reports.

Work-Based Learning

  • Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
  • Volunteer at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living center, or nursing home

High School Certifications

  • Certified Coding Associate
  • Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
  • Insurance and Coding Specialist
  • Nationally Certified Medical Coding and Billing Specialist

Health Informatics Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Medical Records and Health Information Technician$35,922
Medical and Health Service Managers$93,995
Billing and Posting Clerks$35,485
Download the Health Informatics guide ↓

pathway 03

Healthcare Diagnostics

The Healthcare Diagnostics program of study introduces high school CTE students to opportunities related to performing complex medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. The Healthcare Diagnostics program of study may also include exploration into blood laboratories as well as radiologic technology and ultrasound technology.

Work-Based Learning

  • Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
  • Perform clinical rotations at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living, or nursing home

High School Certifications

  • Certified Cardiographic Technician
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
  • Certified EKG Technician
  • ECG Technician
  • Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Laboratory Assistant
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Abdomen
  • Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Registered Technologist - Cardiac-Interventional Radiography
  • Registered Technologist - Computed Tomography
  • Registered Technologist - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Registered Technologist - Mammography
  • Registered Technologist - Nuclear Medicine Technology
  • Registered Technologist - Radiography
  • Registered Technologist - Sonography
  • Registered Technologist - Vascular Sonography
  • Registered Technologist - Vascular-Interventional Radiography
  • Registered Vascular Technology

Healthcare Diagnostics Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$69,909
Phlebotomist$30,597
Nuclear Medicine Technologists$75,962
Radiologic Technologists$55,494
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$68,661
Download the Healthcare Diagnostics guide ↓

pathway 04

Healthcare Therapeutic

The high school CTE Healthcare Therapeutic program of study introduces students to occupations and educational opportunities related to diagnosing and treating acute, episodic, or chronic illness independently or as part of a healthcare team. The Healthcare Therapeutic program of study also includes an introduction to opportunities associated with providing treatment and counsel to patients as well as rehabilitative programs that help build or restore daily living skills to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.

Work-Based Learning

  • Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
  • Volunteer at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living, or nursing home

High School Certifications

  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Certified Dental Assistant
  • Certified EKG Technician
  • Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
  • Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
  • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • ECG Technician
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Laboratory Assistant
  • Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Registered Dental Assistant X-Ray Certification

Healthcare Therapeutic Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Medical Assistants$29,598
Surgical Technologists$45,032
Dental Hygienists$73,507
Physicians and Surgeons$213,071
Download the Healthcare Therapeutic guide ↓

pathway 05

Medical Therapy

The Medical Therapy program of CTE study focuses on biology and medicine in order to introduce high school students to the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the healthcare field in occupations such as Respiratory, Occupational, Physical, or Speech Therapy. CTE learners may also practice patient care and communication.

Work-Based Learning

  • Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
  • Intern at a lab
  • Shadow a therapist
  • Participate in clinical rotations

High School Certifications

  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Certified Respiratory Therapist
  • Emergency Medical Technician - Basic

Medical Therapy Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Speech Language Pathologists$73,070
Respiratory Therapists$57,429
Occupational Therapists$92,227
Physical Therapy Assistants$70,200
Download the Medical Therapy guide ↓

pathway 06

Nursing Science

The high school Nursing Science program of study introduces CTE students to the knowledge and skills related to patient care. CTE learners may learn about or practice patient care, routine procedures such as monitoring vital signs, development and implementation of care plans, maintenance of medical records, and disease or pain management. Students may focus on the healthcare system and research system designs and make recommended modifications.

Work-Based Learning

  • Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
  • Volunteer at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living center, or nursing home

High School Certifications

  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
  • Licensed Vocational Nurse
  • Medical Assistant
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Registered Nurse

Nursing Science Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Licensed Vocational Nurses$45,178
Registered Nurses$68,682
Nurse Practitioners$107,827
Nurse Anesthetists$154,856
Download the Nursing Science guide ↓
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